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Thank you for this Snowy Owl -
"...Perhaps the biggest challenge we face is the emergence of new microbes against which our
defences are weak, or even non-existent. The threat of an influenza pandemic, which could be
caused if one of the existing flu viruses were to mutate into a new super-virulent strain, has
received much attention in the past two years. Rightly so. The world saw three such pandemics in
the 20th century, and we know a 21st century pandemic could cause massive suffering and social
disruption if we are not properly prepared. Pandemic preparedness is, and must remain, a priority
for the EU. But deadly new microbes can also emerge in less spectacular ways. Healthcareassociated
infections have become a major issue of concern in the EU, with many of these
caused by new or emerging drug resistant microbes. It is unacceptable to me that one in every
ten patients entering hospital in the EU will catch an infection there. Supporting action to address
this problem will be a priority for the Commission and for ECDC in the coming year..."
"...Perhaps the biggest challenge we face is the emergence of new microbes against which our
defences are weak, or even non-existent. The threat of an influenza pandemic, which could be
caused if one of the existing flu viruses were to mutate into a new super-virulent strain, has
received much attention in the past two years. Rightly so. The world saw three such pandemics in
the 20th century, and we know a 21st century pandemic could cause massive suffering and social
disruption if we are not properly prepared. Pandemic preparedness is, and must remain, a priority
for the EU. But deadly new microbes can also emerge in less spectacular ways. Healthcareassociated
infections have become a major issue of concern in the EU, with many of these
caused by new or emerging drug resistant microbes. It is unacceptable to me that one in every
ten patients entering hospital in the EU will catch an infection there. Supporting action to address
this problem will be a priority for the Commission and for ECDC in the coming year..."
